How do you use the dotnet new command to create projects from templates

The dotnet new command is a powerful tool in the .NET Command Line Interface (CLI) that allows you to create new projects, solutions, and files from templates. Templates provide a predefined structure and configuration for your projects, making it easier to get started with different types of applications. This guide will walk you through how to use the dotnet new command to create projects from templates.

What is the `dotnet new` Command?

The dotnet new command is used to create new .NET projects or files based on specified templates. It supports a variety of project types, including console applications, web applications, class libraries, and more. By using templates, you can quickly scaffold a project with the necessary files and configurations.

How to Use the `dotnet new` Command

To create a new project using the dotnet new command, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Your Command Line Interface

Open your terminal (macOS/Linux) or command prompt (Windows).

Step 2: List Available Templates

Before creating a new project, you can view the available templates by running the following command:

dotnet new --list

This command will display a list of all available templates along with their short names and descriptions. For example, you might see output like this:

Template Name                     Short Name      Language        Tags
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Console Application                 console         [C#], F#       Common/Console
ASP.NET Core Web App               webapp          [C#]           Web/MVC
Class Library                      classlib        [C#]           Common/Library

This output shows various templates you can use to create different types of projects.

Step 3: Create a New Project

To create a new project, use the following command:

dotnet new TemplateName -n ProjectName

In this command:

TemplateName: The short name of the template you want to use (e.g., console, webapp, classlib).
ProjectName: The name you want to give to your new project.

Example

Suppose you want to create a new console application named MyConsoleApp. You would run the following command:

dotnet new console -n MyConsoleApp

After executing this command, a new folder named MyConsoleApp will be created, containing the necessary files for a console application.

Step 4: Navigate to the Project Directory

After creating the project, navigate to the project directory using the cd command:

cd MyConsoleApp

Step 5: Run the Project

You can run the newly created project using the following command:

dotnet run

This command will compile and execute the console application, displaying any output in the terminal.

Creating Projects with Additional Options

The dotnet new command also supports various options to customize the project creation process. For example, you can specify the output directory, target framework, and more. Here’s an example of creating a web application with a specific output directory:

dotnet new webapp -n MyWebApp -o /path/to/output/directory

In this command, the < code> -o option specifies the output directory where the project will be created. If the directory does not exist, it will be created automatically.

Conclusion

The dotnet new command is an essential tool for .NET developers, allowing you to quickly scaffold new projects from templates. By understanding how to use this command effectively, you can streamline your development process and focus on building your applications. Whether you are creating a simple console app or a complex web application, the dotnet new command provides the flexibility and efficiency needed to get started quickly.